Shoe construction

ABSTRACT

A shoe that includes an upper section and a lower section, the lower section having a forward peripheral recess that receives a projecting flange at the bottom edge of the upper section securing the parts together at that location while prongs projecting forwardly from the lower portion of the upper section are received in recesses in the lower section and provide stability against lateral shifting of the two sections. Sealed fasteners at the rearward portion of the shoe extend between the upper and lower sections, securing them together.

United States Patent Haselrig 1 Feb. 8, 1972 [54] SHOE CONSTRUCTION 2,873,540 2/ 1959 Murphy ..36/15 X [72] Inventor: William E. Haselrig, 1802 East Granada FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Ct., Ontario, Calif. 25,849 1906 Filed! 1969 1,056,745 10/1953 1,116,969 2/1956 [21] Appl.No.. 871,471 1,322,793 2/1963 Related U.S. Application Data 351,123 1922 333,242 12/1935 [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 752,000, Aug. 12,

1968 abandoned- Primary Examiner-Alfred R. Guest Attorney-Gausewitz, Carr & Rothenberg [52] U.S. (I 16/15 [51] Int. Cl. 4311 13/36 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search ..36/1 5, 2.5 W, 14, 36 C A shoe that Includes an upper section and a lower section, the 56] km cited lower section having a forward peripheral recess that receives a projecting flange at the bottom edge of the upper section UNITED STATES PATENTS securing the parts together at that location while prongs projecting forwardly from the lower portion of the upper section (18,054 4/ 1931 Rubin ..36/l5 are received in recesses in the lower section and provide 375,718 12/1887 wust ..36/l5 bility against lateral shifting of the two Sections sealed 788,160 4/ 1905 Leadbeawr- "36/15 fasteners at the rearward portion of the shoe extend between 1,463 ,427 7/1923 Lavers 36/36 C the upper and lower Sections, securing them togethen 1,622,860 3/1927 Cutler..... ..36/ 14 7 2,403,442 7/1946 Klaus ..36/ 14 UK 14 Claims, 21 Drawing figures PATENTED EB 8 I972 SHEET 1 0F 4 0 FIG.3

INVENTOR. WILLIAM E. HASELRIG MKZZV FIG.4

/ ATTORNEYS PATENTEB FEB 8 I972 SHEET 2 OF 4 FIG.5

FIG.7

INVENTOR.

WILLIAM E. HASE LRI G Z M ATTORNEY:

mmeum 8 m2 SHEET 3 0F 4 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM E. HASELRIG FIG. I6

ATTORNEYS SHEET 6 OF 4 s2 60 FIG. I8 62 FIG.2|

32 INVENTOR. E WILLIAM E. HASELRIG 3 BY E g4 FIG. I: g 34 v M ATTORNEYS snoE CONSTRUCTION REFERENCE TO PARENT APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending patent application Ser. No. 752,000 filed Aug. I2, 1968, for Shoe Construction, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a shoe construction.

2. The Prior Art The design of commercially manufactured shoes has experienced virtually no change for many years. When the sole of a conventional shoe wears out, if the shoe is not discarded, it is necessary for a repairman to apply a half sole, which is attached by stitching. An overlapping beveled joint is provided at the shank of the shoe where the new half sole joins the original sole. In attaching the half sole, often the fit of the shoe is altered materially. The sewing of the half sole to the upper portion of the shoe frequently draws the upper portion toward the sole and causes the shoe to become tighter. Thus, what was once a comfortable pair of shoes may become unwearable after the half sole is applied. Also, half soles never provide the same appearance as the original full sole. No matter how skillful the repairman, the line where the half sole meets the remainder of the sole is always clearly visible. Full soles can be supplied, but are quite expensive and hence rarely used. The problem of the alteration of the fit remains.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an improved shoe construction overcoming the difficulties with current shoe designs, providing a resoling of the shoe without loss of comfort or'fit, and with the attractive appearance of a full sole. According to this arrangement, the shoe is in two separable sections, the lower including the sole and heel and presenting an upper surface engaged by the bottom of the upper section of the shoe. On the bottom of the upper section of the shoe is a sheet element that resembles a sole but is considerably thinner. At the tip of the shoe and rearwardly toward the vamp, the sheet on the upper shoe section extends laterally outwardly beyond its point of attachment to the remainder of the upper section. This provides a flange which is received in a peripheral recess at the forward portion of the lower section of the shoe. This recess is defined by a short upstanding sidewall and an inwardly projecting flange or lip which overlaps the flange of the upper section when the two units are attached.

In order to increase the length of overlapping flange engagement to produce a particularly secure attachment, the opposed portions of each of the flanges may be made parallel and narrower than the maximum width of the shoe. This allows the flanges to extend past the widest portion of the shoe to a location adjacent the shank without constricting the entrance to the recess in the lower shoe section, resulting in maximum length of engagement while still permitting the flange of the upper section to be slid longitudinally into the peripheral recess in the lower section. In addition, a pair of transversely spaced, forwardly projecting prongs on the upper section may be included on the upper shoe section to extend into recesses in the upper surface of the lower section to assist in forming the attachment and preventing relative lateral movement of the two shoe sections.

At the rearward portion of the shoe, the sidewall is short and extends around the lower sheet of the shoe upper. A plurality of screws extends downwardly through the lower sheet of the upper shoe section, being received in tappedopenings in the lower section to secure the rearward portions of the shoe assembly together. Sealing members around the fasteners prevent leakage at that location. Alternatively, a quick disconnect attaching means may be used, including projecting members on one shoe section having enlarged ends adapted to fit through openings in the other shoe section, the enlargements fitting under overlapping edges upon relative longitudinal movement of the shoe sections. A lever may be included to accomplish this movement.

By this arrangement, the lower section may be removed and replaced quite easily without necessitating a trip to the repairman. The shoe sections are separated readily by merely loosening the fasteners and slipping the flange portion and the prongs of the upper section out of the recesses that receive them. Reassembly is no more difficult, as the two shoe sections are slid together and the screws are tightened to effect the attachment. The fit of the shoe remains unchanged, as the attachment of the sole does not alter the contour of the shoe upper. There is no stitching to secure the sole to the shoe. An improved appearance results as the lower section always provides a complete full sole with no line of demarcation as in the conventional half sole. Also, the heel is secured to the lower section, so that it is changed simultaneously and automatically with the replacement of the sole. Additionally, one shoe upper may be used with different soles for special purposes, such as those with golf cleats, ripple soles, etc., thereby minimizing expense and assuring continuity of fit. Irrespective of these advantages, the shoe is of conventional appearance and is virtually undetectable as one differing in construction from a shoe of the ordinary design.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved shoe construction allowing a simplified resoling operation without change in the fit of the shoe.

Another object of this invention is to provide a shoe construction assuring improved appearance after a resoling operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a shoe construction that allows an unskilled person to rapidly and easily accomplish a resoling operation.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a shoe construction in which the heel is replaced simultaneously and automatically with the changing of the sole.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a shoe construction allowing improved resoling procedures, but without altering the basic appearance of the shoe. A further object of this invention is to provide a shoe in two readily separable sections that are securely attached together.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. II is a side elevational view of a shoe constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the lower section of the shoe;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the upper section of the shoe;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the forward portion of the upper section of the shoe;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 5, but with the lower section added, illustrating the attachment at the forward portion of the shoe;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5, but with the lower section added, illustrating the attachment at the rearward portion of the shoe.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a shoe embodying a modified arrangement of the attaching flanges at the forward portion of the shoe;

FIG. I0 is a bottom plan view of the upper shoe section of the design of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of the upper shoe section;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10, but with the lower shoe section shown in engagement with the upper shoe section;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 10, also with lower section engaging the upper shoe section;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the lower shoe section;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged transverse sectionalview taken along line 15-15 ofFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along line 16-16 ofFIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the rearward portion of the upper shoe section provided with a quick disconnect type of attachment to the lower shoe section;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the rearward portion of the lower shoe section adapted for the quick disconnect attachment;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary plan view, partially in section, illustrating the attachment of the rearward portions of the upper and lower shoe sections; and

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the lever used in effecting the movement for accomplishing the attachment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The arrangement of this invention includes a lower assembly 10, which is removably attached to the upper section 11. The lower assembly includes a substantially flat sheet member 12 of leather or other material conventionally used for shoe soles. A heel 13 is attached to the rearward undersurface of the sole member 12. Around the perimeter of the forward end of the member 12, corresponding generally to the location of the vamp and tip of the shoe, there is a short vertical sidewall 14. A narrow lip or flange projects inwardly from the upper end of the wall 14 and is parallel to the upper surface of the sole member 12 (see FIG. 3).

The rearward portion of the sidewall 14, where the sole nar rows toward. the shank 16, has no lip extending therefrom. Instead, it is provided with an inclined inner surface 17 extending downwardly from the upper edge of the wall to the principal surface of the sole member 12. The inner wall surface 17 has some transverse curvature, being slightly concave, as seen in FIG. 4.

A metal plate 18 is bonded or otherwise suitably secured to the sole 12 at its rearward portion. Within this plate are four upwardly facing, vertical tapped openings 19. Two of the openings 19 are laterally spaced and located at the base of the inner surface 17 of the sidewall 14 adjacent the rearward end of the heel seat portion of the sole. The other two openings 19 are similarly positioned transversely of the shoe, and located at the shank portion 16 of the sole.

Adjacent the tip of the sole assembly 10 is a slightly raised portion 21, positioned on the upper surface of the sole 12 inwardly of the side flange 15. This has two transversely spaced openings that face toward the heel and provide parallel, flat, longitudinal recesses 22.

The upper section 11 of the shoe includes a shoe upper 23 of conventional construction. At the bottom of the upper 23 is a sheet of material 24 resembling a shoe sole but of considerably less thickness than an ordinary sole. On top of the member 24 is a layer 25 over which is an insole 26 of conventional construction. Extending forwardly from approximately the vamp and around the tip, the side edge portion 27 of the solelike member 24 projects outwardly beyond its connection to the shoe upper 23, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. In effect, therefore, the edge portion 27 constitutes a flange coextensive with the lip 15 of the lower shoe section 10. Rearwardly from the vamp portion of the shoe, however, the shoe upper 23 overlies and is attached to the edge of the member 24.

Projecting forwardly at the undersurface of the tip portion of the member 24 are two laterally spaced flat metal prongs 28. The rearward end portions of the prongs 28 extend through transverse slits 29 in the member 24 to overlie the upper surface of that member, where they are secured to the member 24 by rivets 30 or other suitable means. The forward ends of the prongs 28 are free. The prongs 28 are positioned and dimensioned such that they are adapted to enter the openings 22 in the sole assembly 10, as will be discussed below.

Four openings 31 extend through the rearward part of the member 24 at the heel seat and shank portions. These normally are concealed at the interior of the shoe by the insole 26.

When the shoe is assembled, the member 24 of the upper unit 11 rests upon and overlies the sole member 12 of the lower assembly 10. As the parts are fitted together, the unit 11 is slid forwardly on the bottom member 10 so that the projecting prongs 28 enter the recesses 22. Also, as this occurs, the flangelike edge portion 27 of the member 24 enters the space beneath the lip 15 that projects from the side edge portion of the member 12. This is allowed to take place because the recess provided by the lip 15 opens to the rear and the opposed portions of the sidewall 14 are most widely spaced at the entrance to the recess, so that the flange 27 slides freely into place. This brings the openings 31 into registry with the tapped holes 19 in the plate 18 of the lower unit 10. Flushhead screws 32 then are extended through the openings 31 and received in the tapped openings 19, as best seen in FIG. 8.

Preferably, there is a gasket 33 around each of the screws 32 to make certain that no moisture will leak around the screws into the interior of the shoe. After the screws 32 have been tightened, the insole 26 is positioned over the screw heads. With the upper and lower sections assembled in this manner, the rearward portion of the sidewall 15 slightly overlaps the bottom margin of the upper 23, which is complementary to the inner surface 17 of the sidewall.

As a result of this construction, the two sections of the shoe are finnly secured together in only a few moments of time. They are merely slipped together at the forward portion and then, with the tightening of four screws, the attachment is complete. The screws 32 securely anchor the rearward portion of the lower section 10 to the upper section 11, while the lip 15 and flange 27 at the tip of the shoe create an attachment at that area. With the side edge. portion 27 captured beneath the lip 15, the upper portion 11 of the shoe cannot lift off of the lower assembly 10. Moreover, the prongs 28, received in the recesses 22, provide an additional means of holding the tip portions of the units 10 and 11 together, helping to prevent relative movement in any direction. Stability is achieved by the use of two of the prongs 28 spaced apart laterally, although in some instances a single prong and receptacle may suffice.

The resulting shoe construction has the appearance of a conventional shoe. The sole member 12, with its sidewall 14 and lip 15, resembles a conventional shoe sole from the exterior view. Nevertheless, the unit 10 may be separated from the upper portion 11 and replaced quite easily and rapidly when the sole portion 12 becomes worn out. The parts separate merely by lifting the rearward part of the insole 26, loosening the screws 32 and sliding the lower portion off the upper unit 11. After that, the new sole unit can be installed and the shoe made ready for use without the use of machinery or skilled shoe repair services.

When the shoe is resoled in this manner, there is no resewing and hence no change in the fit or comfort of the shoe upper. The shoe will feel exactly the same after it has been resoled as before, with none of its comfort being lost. The life of the shoe becomes greatly extended. In addition, it provides an improved appearance by providing a full-sole effect, rather than having the line of demarcation that occurs from the conventional half-soling operation. Also, the heel of the shoe is replaced automatically and simultaneously with the replacement of the sole unit.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8, the length of the flange 15 on the lower shoe section 10 and that of the cooperating flange 27 of the upper 1!. are limited. This is because the shoe necessarily must be made wider beneath the vamp between the tip and the shank. Therefore, in order to enable the flange 27 of the shoe upper 11 to be slid longitudinally into the recess defined by the flange 15 of the lower section 10, the entrance to the flange 15 (the space between the opposed rearward ends of the flange) can extend only to the widest part of the shoe. If the flange l5 follows the contour of the sole l2 and is extended rearwardly past the widest portion of the sole toward the shank 16, it will become constricted toward the rear and provide a narrow entrance. The flange cannot be stretched appreciably laterally, so the narrow entrance will block the wider portions of the flange 27 of the shoe upper. Consequently, it would not then be possible to assemble the two sections of the shoe because the required relative longitudinally movement could take place due to the interference at the entrance to the flange 15. From the standpoint of the security of the attachment between the forward portions of the upper and lower sections of the shoe, however, it is desirable to have the flanges of the upper and lower sections of the shoe in overlapping engagement for a maximum distance.

A substantially increased length of flange interengagement is accomplished by the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 17. In the latter construction, again there is a shoe upper 32 which can be removably attached to the lower section 33. The upper includes a relatively thin solelike sheet member 34 along its lower surface. At the rearward portion of the member 34, from a location adjacent to the forward end of the shank and rearwardly to the heel seat, the member 34 is secured to the upper along its outer perimeter. However, forwardly of the shank, the member 34 is provided with a lateral recess 36 along its edge resulting in a flange 37 that projects outwardly from the upper and has a free outer edge. The forward portion 38 of the flange 37 is rounded corresponding generally to the contour of the tip of the shoe. However, inwardly beneath the vamp, the flange 37 is narrower than the remaining portion of the shoe upper section 32, and is spaced inwardly at a substantial distance from the wider portions of the shoe. Consequently, the member 34 reaches its maximum width at the rearward end of the tip portion, and provides the flange 37 with generally parallel opposite edges 40 and 41 that extend rearwardly from the tip toward the shank.

Rearwardly of the flange 37 and in the shank and heel portions, apertures 43 are provided through the member 34 through which extend flush-head screws 44. These are used in connecting the shoe sections 32 and 33 together.

The lower section 33 of the shoe includes a sole 46 to which is attached a heel 47. Projecting upwardly from the sole 46 is a relatively low sidewall 48 which corresponds in height generally to the thickness of the sheet member 34 on the upper 32. At its rearward portions in the area of the shank and heel, the sidewall 48 has a vertical inner surface shaped to be substantially complementary to the corresponding portions of the member 34. Consequently, the rearward portions of the member 34 will fit in the space defined by the rearward portions of the sidewall 48, so that the member 34 can rest on the shank and heel portions of the lower section 33 of the shoe.

At the forward part of the lower portion 33 of the shoe, a lateral flange 50 projects inwardly from the upper edge of the sidewall 48, thereby providing a recess 51 between the flange and the sole 46. The inner edge of the recess 51 corresponds in contour and dimension generally to the outer edge of the flange 37 of the shoe upper 32. The flange 50 of the lower section 33 of the shoe is substantially the depth of the slot 36 formed in the forward side edges of the member 34. Consequently, while the flange 50 is rounded at the tip of the shoe, it provides substantially parallel opposite inner edges 52 and 53 beyond that location. These edges are spaced a substantial distance inwardly from the outer edges of the sole 46. The edges 52 and 53 extend to the ends 54 and 55 of the flange 50 at the entrance to the slot 51 adjacent to the shank of the shoe.

Buried between the upper and lower surfaces of the sole 46 and extending from the shank to the heel seat is a metal plate 56 secured to the sole by means of rivets 57. Tapped openings 58 are formed in the plate 56 with continuations of these openings extending through the portion of the sole above them. These openings are positioned to receive the threaded ends of the screws 44 from the shoe upper, thereby retaining the rearward portions of the upper and lower sections of the shoe together. The metal plate 56 provides complete rigidity to the shoe where it is located resulting in a rigid arch brace. However, forwardly of the shank, the sole 46 possesses its full flexibility so that it can bend as the shoe is in use. Therefore, rigidity is provided where it is needed for maximum comfort for the wearer of the shoe, while at the same time there is no interference with the flexing of the shoe in normal walking.

The upper section 32 and lower 33 are assembled by positioning the tip portion of the flange 37 adjacent the rearward entrance to the recess 51, and imparting relative longitudinal movement between the sections 32 and 33 of the shoe until the flange 37 is received entirely within the slot 51. This brings the rearward portion of the member 34 within the vertical edges of the rearward part of the sidewall 48, and allows the screws 44 to be tightened into the threaded openings 58. The attachment of the two shoe sections then in complete.

In this arrangement, there is a long overlapping engagement between the flange 37 of the shoe upper 32 and the flange 50 of the lower 33, extending from the tip to the shank of the shoe. This results in a very secure attachment betweenthe forward sections of the shoe portions 32 and 33. These parts are firmly held together allowing no undesirable relative movement during use of the shoe. This is made possible by providing the flanges with dimensions between their side edges that are narrower than that of the maximum width of the shoe, so that the flanges may be extended rearwardly of the portion of the shoe of maximum width. Thus while the outer contour of the shoe decreases in lateral dimension toward the shank, the spacing between the opposite portions of the flanges 37 and 50 remains constant. In addition to effecting a secure attachment, this assures that the shoe has an appearance that is indistinguishable from that of a shoe of conventional construction.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 17, the prongs 28 of the previously described arrangement are omitted. This is made possible through the very secure attachment afforded by the long overlapping flanges 37 and 50. However, if desired, one or more prongs may be provided on the upper 32, with suitable receptacle arrangements such as the elements 21 and 22 on the lower 33 to receive the prongs.

In addition, by providing for the rearward portion of the member 34 on the upper 32 of the shoe to extend downwardly between the sidewalls of the rearward portion of the lower section 33, it is unnecessary to have the upwardly curved portions of the sidewall 14 as in the previously described embodiment. The sidewall 48 may be made relatively low in height while at the same time providing a means to index and position the rearward portions of the shoe sections 32 and 33.

In lieu of the screws 44 used in securing the rearward portions of the upper 32 and lower 33 shoe sections together, a quick disconnect arrangement can be provided, adding to the speed and ease with which the connection can be made as well as avoiding the necessity of using a screwdriver. A design of this type is illustrated in FIGS. 18 through 27. For this construction, a thin metal plate 60 is provided at the rearward lower portion of the solelike sheet 34 of the upper section 32 of the shoe. Suitably secured to the plate 60 are posts or pins 6! which have enlarged circular flat heads 62 at their lower ends. The heads 62 are spaced outwardly from the surface of the plate 60. In the lower portion 32 of the shoe above the heel 47, there is a metal plate 64 along the upper surface within the space defined by the sidewall 48. The plate 64 is provided with openings 65 through it, each of which has an enlarged circular portion 66 and a relatively narrow section 67 extending forwardly from the circular portion. The openings 65 are positioned so that they can be aligned with the posts 61 depending from the shoe upper 32. The attachment is accomplished by extending the heads 62 through the circular portions 66 of the openings 65 so that they extend beneath the plate 64. Then, upon relative longitudinal movement between the upper shoe section 32 and the lower section 33, the posts 61 are moved into the narrow longitudinal extensions 67 of the openings 65, thereby positioning the heads 62 beneath the 'plate 64. This presents separation of the two shoe sections 32 and 33. A clearance opening 68 beneath the plate 64 allows this movement of the heads 62 as the attachment is made.

The necessary movement to lock the parts together may be accomplished by means of a lever 70 such as shown in FIG. 21. The lever 70 is pivotal about a transverse pin 71, and has a curved lower end 72 which extends downwardly through an opening 73 in the plate 60. The bottom end 72 of the lever is adapted to enter a notch 74 in the plate 64 of the lower section 33. When the lever 70 so engages the notch 74, pivotal movement of the lever from the raised position shown in phantom to the lower position shown in solid lines in FIG. 21 will accomplish relative longitudinal movement of an upper and lower sections 32 and 33 and complete the attachment of the two shoe sections.

1 claim:

1. A shoe comprising an upper shoe section adapted to receive the foot,

a lower section,

said lower section having a sole forepart portion, a shank portion and a heel portion, said lower section having an upper surface,

saidupper section having a lower surface engaging said upper surface of said lower section, the forward portion of said lower section including means defining a recess, said upper section having projecting means received in said recess for holding the forward portion of said upper section to the forward portion of said lower section, said means defining a recess including opposed spaced inwardly directed flanges, said flanges being in spaced adjacency with said upper surface of said lower section so as to define a space beneath said flanges, said flanges having ends spaced from the heel portion of said lower section positioned such that said space beneath said flanges is open toward said heel portion of said lower section, the spacing between said flanges being substantially as great at said ends of said flanges as said spacing forwardly thereof, whereby said projecting means can enter said space beneath said flanges,

and means attaching the rearward portion of said upper section to said shank and heel portions of said lower section.

2. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said means defining a recess includes a sidewall projecting upwardly around the periphery of the forward portion of said lower section,

said flanges projecting laterally inwardly from the upper edge of said sidewall,

said means received in said recess including laterally projecting portions on the lower forward portion of said upper section extending beneath said flanges.

3. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said lower surface of said upper section is defined by a relatively thin sheet of material along the lower portion of said upper section and attached thereto,

the forward portions of said sheet of material having elongated marginal portions projecting laterally outwardly for providing said laterally projecting portions.

4. A device as recited in claim 3 in which said forward portions of said sheet of material include a tip portion and portions rearwardly thereof, said portions rearwardly of said tip portion being of substantially constant width.

. A device as recited in claim 3 in which the edge of said relatively thin sheet of material is attached to said upper section at locations other than at said forward portion, so that 5 said relatively thin sheet of material so projects laterally only at said forward portions.

6. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said upper and lower sections are substantially wider than said spacing between said flanges at a location forwardly of the rearward ends of said flanges.

7. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said lower section has a sidewall portion projecting upwardly from the rearward portion thereof,

said sidewall having opposed portions interconnected by a curved portion at the rearward end of said lower section,

said relatively thin sheet of material having a rearward portion substantially complementarily received within said sidewall, the remaining portions of said upper being above said sidewall, 8. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said means defining a recess in said lower section includes means defining at least one forwardly directed opening in the forward portion of said lower section,

and said means received in said recess includes a prong projecting forwardly from said lower surface of said upper section and received in said opening.

9. A device as recited in claim 6 in which there are two of said openings spaced apart laterally at the forward portion of said lower section, said openings being relatively flat vertically and wide horizontally,

and in which there are two of said prongs,

said prongs being substantially flat elements substantially complementary received in said openings.

10. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said means attaching said rearward portion of said upper section to said rearward portion of said lower section includes fastener means extending through said lower surface of said upper section,

said lower section having aperture means in the rearward portion thereof engaging said fastener means for thereby forming an attachment.

11. A device as recited in claim 10 in which said fastener means includes a plurality of flush-head screws extending through said lower surface of said upper section,

said upper surface of said lower section having a plurality of tapped openings for receiving the threaded ends of said screws.

12. A device as recited in claim 11 including in addition sealing means around said fasteners for preventing leakage around said fasteners.

13. A device as recited in claim 1 l in which there are four of said screws,

two of said screws being transversely spaced apart at the rearward portions of said sections,

and the other two of said screws being laterally spaced apart inwardly of said rearward portions,

and including, in addition, sealing means for each of said screws for preventing leakage around said screws. 14. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said means attaching said rearward portion of said upper section to said 6 5 rearward portion of said lower section includes pin means projecting from one of said sections, said pin means including an enlarged head at the distal end thereof, the other of said sec tions having aperture means adapted to receive said pin means, said aperture means having means for overlapping said 70 head upon relative longitudinal movement of said sections, and means for producing said relative longitudinal movement of said sections.

mg I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 640, 004 D d Feb. 8, 1972 Inventor(s) William E. Haeelrig It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 8, the claim reference numeral "6' in line 29 should Signed and sealed this 12th day of September 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A shoe comprising an upper shoe section adapted to receive the foot, a lower section, said lower section having a sole forepart portion, a shank portion and a heel portion, said lower section having an upper surface, said upper section having a lower surface engaging said upper surface of said lower section, the forward portion of said lower section including means defining a recess, said upper section having projecting means received in said recess for holding the forward portion of said upper section to the forward portion of said lower section, said means defining a recess including opposed spaced inwardly directed flanges, said Flanges being in spaced adjacency with said upper surface of said lower section so as to define a space beneath said flanges, said flanges having ends spaced from the heel portion of said lower section positioned such that said space beneath said flanges is open toward said heel portion of said lower section, the spacing between said flanges being substantially as great at said ends of said flanges as said spacing forwardly thereof, whereby said projecting means can enter said space beneath said flanges, and means attaching the rearward portion of said upper section to said shank and heel portions of said lower section.
 2. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said means defining a recess includes a sidewall projecting upwardly around the periphery of the forward portion of said lower section, said flanges projecting laterally inwardly from the upper edge of said sidewall, said means received in said recess including laterally projecting portions on the lower forward portion of said upper section extending beneath said flanges.
 3. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said lower surface of said upper section is defined by a relatively thin sheet of material along the lower portion of said upper section and attached thereto, the forward portions of said sheet of material having elongated marginal portions projecting laterally outwardly for providing said laterally projecting portions.
 4. A device as recited in claim 3 in which said forward portions of said sheet of material include a tip portion and portions rearwardly thereof, said portions rearwardly of said tip portion being of substantially constant width.
 5. A device as recited in claim 3 in which the edge of said relatively thin sheet of material is attached to said upper section at locations other than at said forward portion, so that said relatively thin sheet of material so projects laterally only at said forward portions.
 6. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said upper and lower sections are substantially wider than said spacing between said flanges at a location forwardly of the rearward ends of said flanges.
 7. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said lower section has a sidewall portion projecting upwardly from the rearward portion thereof, said sidewall having opposed portions interconnected by a curved portion at the rearward end of said lower section, said relatively thin sheet of material having a rearward portion substantially complementarily received within said sidewall, the remaining portions of said upper being above said sidewall,
 8. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said means defining a recess in said lower section includes means defining at least one forwardly directed opening in the forward portion of said lower section, and said means received in said recess includes a prong projecting forwardly from said lower surface of said upper section and received in said opening.
 9. A device as recited in claim 6 in which there are two of said openings spaced apart laterally at the forward portion of said lower section, said openings being relatively flat vertically and wide horizontally, and in which there are two of said prongs, said prongs being substantially flat elements substantially complementary received in said openings.
 10. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said means attaching said rearward portion of said upper section to said rearward portion of said lower section includes fastener means extending through said lower surface of said upper section, said lower section having aperture means in the rearward portion thereof engaging said fastener means for thereby forming an attachment.
 11. A device as recited in claim 10 in which said fastener means includes a plurality of flush-head screws extending through said lower surface of said upper section, said upper surface of said lower section having a plurality of tappeD openings for receiving the threaded ends of said screws.
 12. A device as recited in claim 11 including in addition sealing means around said fasteners for preventing leakage around said fasteners.
 13. A device as recited in claim 11 in which there are four of said screws, two of said screws being transversely spaced apart at the rearward portions of said sections, and the other two of said screws being laterally spaced apart inwardly of said rearward portions, and including, in addition, sealing means for each of said screws for preventing leakage around said screws.
 14. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said means attaching said rearward portion of said upper section to said rearward portion of said lower section includes pin means projecting from one of said sections, said pin means including an enlarged head at the distal end thereof, the other of said sections having aperture means adapted to receive said pin means, said aperture means having means for overlapping said head upon relative longitudinal movement of said sections, and means for producing said relative longitudinal movement of said sections. 